A notary public is a person who is recognised by law as having the ability to verify the signing of a deed, certify that copies of documents are authentic, especially for overseas purposes, and witness documents which are from another country.

A notary public uses an official stamp which they place on official documents when they sign it.

Functions of a Notary Public
 
Their principal duties include:

• Witnessing affidavits, statutory declarations and other documents for use in Australia and internationally.
• Certification of copy documents for use Australia.
• To confirm, attest or authenticate the truth of any document for use in a foreign country.
• To draw up shipping protests and other formal papers relating to the voyage of ships, their navigation and the carriage of cargo.
• To certify transactions relating to negotiable instruments and to protest foreign bills of exchange when dishonoured.
• The translation of legal and commercial documents from foreign languages to English.
• The preparation of certain legal instruments (eg. power of attorney) intended for operation abroad.
• Administering of oaths for use in Australia and internationally

Fees

Notary Publics can charge a fee for their services and generally this amount to their hourly rate.